Miniature rose plant

ABSTRACT

The subject of the present disclosure is a new and distinct variety of miniature rose plant characterized by soft yellow buds and flowers which are tinted with pink on edges and tips of petals.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of hardy,dwarf, bush type rose plant of the miniature class; the variety beingprimarily characterized--as to novelty--by soft yellow buds and flowerswhich are tinted with pink along petal edges and tips, the general coloreffect resembling the Peace rose (Hybrid Tea--U.S. Plant Pat. No. 591,expired) only in miniature.

The variety is further characterized by:

An abundance of bloom, with flowers borne singly or several to the stemin loose clusters.

Little fragrance.

A plant which is vigorous, of rounded somewhat upright shape withsemi-glossy to matt, small foliage with pointed leaflets; the buds andflowers being similar in coloring, form and size to Debbie(miniature--U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,911).

The plant, which has a normal height of 14-16 inches or more, can easilybe maintained at lesser height by occasional trimming.

A plant which grows and blooms satisfactorily both in greenhouse andoutdoors; is good for growing in pots; and provides excellent gardendecoration as well as cut flowers.

The present variety of miniature rose was originated by me at SequoiaNursery located at Visalia, Calif., under conditions of careful controland observation, as a cross between Little Darling (U.S. Plant Pat. No.1,581, expired) as the seed parent and Yellow Magic, (miniature--notpatented), as the pollen parent.

Subsequent to origination of the variety I successfully reproduced it,at Sequoia Nursery located as aforesaid, by budding as well as bycuttings; the reproductions having run true in all respects.

The color photograph illustrates the variety including the foliage, budsand flowers as it appears when grown outdoors (June 1979).

Referring now specifically to the new and distinct variety of miniaturerose plant, the following is a detailed description thereof in outline;all major color plate identifications being by reference to the BritishColour Council Horticultural Colour Chart, except where common terms ofcolor definition are employed.

Type: Hardy; dwarf; bushy (somewhat upright); rounded; seedling;greenhouse; outdoors; cut flowers; garden decoration; potted plant.

Class: Miniature.

(International identification, variety: Morliyel).--Commercial synonym:Sierra Sunrise.

Flowers borne: Singly and in loose clusters of 3-5 or more on slenderwirey stems.

Quantity of bloom: Abundant both outside and in greenhouse.

Bud:

Peduncle.--Medium to long; slender but sturdy; erect; medium green,sometimes tinted bronze (outdoors); hairs--(more like fuzz) fairlynumerous.

Before calyx breaks, size.--Small. Form long; pointed with severalfoliaceous appendages and few tiny hairs on surface of bud; withfoliaceous parts extending beyond the tip of the bud equal to one-halfor less of its length. Color--medium green, occasionally tinted withbronze (outdoors).

As calyx breaks, color.--Pale green to soft yellow. Opening: opens wellin all weather.

Bloom:

Size when fully open.--Small, averaging about 35-40 mm (11/2").

Petalage.--Double--averaging about 35-40 petals, arranged regularly,plus sometimes several small petaloids.

Form.--Cupped to high centered at first, becoming more open in thecenter, with petals reflexing loosely outward, and later at maturity,open and rolled loosely outward and downward. Open flower may showstamens.

Petals: Fairly thick; satiny on inside and on outside surface.

Shape.--Outside petals, broad lanceolate (nearly oval) with very small(short) acute tip; intermediate--broad lanceolate with rounded or smallacute tip; inside--lanceolate with rounded tip. Petals on mature flowerstend to fold back or quill, giving petals a very pointed appearance.

Color: Newly opened flower from a plant grown (A) in plastic greenhouse(October 1979), Visalia, Calif.

Outside petals.--Outside surface--near Sulphur Yellow 1/3 becomingslightly deeper yellow or greenish yellow at base.

Intermediate petal.--Outside surface--similar to outside petal. Insidesurface--similar to outside petal.

Inner petal.--Outside surface--same as intermediate petal; insidesurface--same as intermediate petal.

And (B) as grown outdoors in full sun (June 1979): Basic color same orsimilar to above but buds and flowers are brushed or tinted with pinkalong petal edges and petal tips (especially the outer row or rows) thusresembling the Peace rose (Hybrid Tea) or Debbie (miniature).

General color effect newly opened flowers.--In greenhouse; soft yellowto cream outdoors; soft yellow tinted pink.

Three days open.--Color similar to newly opened flowers but lessbrilliant (more cream).

Behavior.--Opens well in all weather. Spent petals drop off.

Flower longevity (May 1979).--Plant in pot 6-8 days or longer. Cutflowers at living room temperature 4-5 days or longer.

Reproductive organs:

Stamens.--Moderate number, arranged regularly about pistils.

Filaments.--Varying length, medium long, yellow.

Anthers.--Well formed; yellow.

Pollen.--Moderate amount.

Pistils.--Average number.

Styles.--Fairly even; medium to short length; bunched; color--palegreenish.

Ovaries.--All enclosed in calyx.

Hips.--Few or none.

Sepals.--Permanent; spear shaped; recurved.

Seed.--Few or none.

Foliage:

Leaves.--Compound of five (sometimes three or seven) leaflets; fairlysmall; leather; semi-glossy to matt.

Leaflets.--Shape: broad, lanceolate; apex acute; base rounded or roundedacute. Margin serrate. Color: medium green; new growth--normal (medium)green--sometimes reddish. Rachis: medium strength; upper side may have afew tiny short hairs, grooved; underside sparsely thorny with few or notiny prickles. Stipules: medium long; narrow to medium width; mediumlength; narrow points which turn out usually at about 45 degrees.

Growth:

Habit.--Dwarf; bushy; upright rounded; much branched.

Growth.--Free vigorous; internodes short.

Canes.--Medium; slender; sturdy.

Main stems.--Color: medium green.

Thorns.--Average; slender; usually straight or inclined slightlydownward; color, brown. Prickles--none. Hairs--none.

Branches.--Color: medium green. Thorns: moderate number; medium length;slender; nearly straight or inclined slightly downward. Long oval base.Prickles: none. Hairs: none.

The miniature rose plant and its flowers as herein described may vary inslight detail due to climatic, soil and cultural conditions under whichthe variety may be grown; the present description being of the varietyas grown at Visalia, Calif.

The following is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct variety of miniaturerose plant of hardy, dwarf, bushy, rounded, much branched habit,substantially as illustrated and described, characterized by buds andflowers of a soft yellow color being of a shade similar to SulphurYellow 1/3, the bud and flower resembling the variety Debbie (U.S. PlantPat. No. 2,911) in form and size and, when grown outdoors, alsoresembling Debbie, in coloring; and further characterized by a plant ofvigorous, compact growth habit, easy to propagate from cuttings or bybudding, with an abundance of small to medium size semi-glossy to mattfoliage and an abundance of flowers borne singly or in loose clusters of3 to 5 or more.